Indian Ancient History Flashcards
Who led the first Muslim invasion of India?
Mohammad Bin Qasim
Which area did Mohammad Bin Qasim conquer in 712 AD?
Sindh
Who led the first Turk invasion of India?
Mahmud of Ghazni
How many expeditions did Mahmud of Ghazni lead to India?
17
In which year did Mahmud of Ghazni raid the Somnath temple?
1025 AD
What title did Mahmud of Ghazni receive from the Abbasid Caliph?
Yamin-al-Dawla (Right hand of the state)
What is the other name of Mahmud Ghazni’s dynasty?
Yamini Dynasty
Who led the second Turk invasion of India?
Mohammad Ghori
What is Mohammad Ghori considered in terms of Muslim rule in India?
Founder of Muslim rule in India
What were the main reasons for the success of Turks in India?
- Rajputas lacked unity and organization 2. No central government 3. Small and scattered Rajput kingdoms 4. Turks were better organized
What political entity did Mohammad Ghori’s conquests give rise to?
The Delhi Sultanate
How many distinct periods is the Delhi Sultanate divided into?
Five
Name the five dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate.
- Slave Dynasty 2. Khilji Dynasty 3. Tughlaq Dynasty 4. Sayyid Dynasty 5. Lodhi Dynasty
Who founded the Slave Dynasty?
Qutubuddin Aibak
What title was given to Qutubuddin Aibak for his generosity?
Lakh Bakhsh (giver of lakhs)
How did Qutubuddin Aibak die?
He died in 1210 while playing Chaugan (Polo).
Name the two mosques constructed by Qutubuddin Aibak.
Quwat-ul-Islam in Delhi and Adhai din ka Jhonpra in Ajmer.
In whose honor was the Qutub Minar constructed?
Sufi Saint Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki.
Who were the notable writers patronised by Qutubuddin Aibak?
Hasan-un-Nizami (author of Taj-ul-Massir) and Fakhr-i-Muddabir (author of Adab-al-harb-wa-shuja/Adab-al-Mulk).
Who is considered the ‘real founder of the Delhi Sultanate’?
Shamsuddin Iltutmish.
Which city did Iltutmish make the capital of the Delhi Sultanate?
Delhi (in place of Lahore).
How did Iltutmish save Delhi from Chengiz Khan?
By refusing to shelter Jalaluddin Manglbarani, the Prince of Khwarizm, whom Chengiz was chasing.
Which coins did Iltutmish introduce?
Silver tanka and copper jital.
What system did Iltutmish organise for governance?
The Iqta system.
What was the group of 40 noble slaves set up by Iltutmish called?
Chahalgani or Chalisa.
Who completed the construction of the Qutub Minar?
Shamsuddin Iltutmish.
Who authored Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, a book patronised by Iltutmish?
Minhaj-us-Siraj.
Which ruler was deposed by Razia Sultana to ascend the throne?
Ruknuddin Firoz (son of Iltutmish).
Who was the first and only Muslim lady to ever rule India?
Razia Sultana.
Why was Razia Sultana disliked by the nobles?
Due to her preference for an Abyssinian slave, Yakut, and her policies.
Who revolted against Razia Sultana and imprisoned her?
Altunia, governor of Bhatinda.
Who did Razia Sultana marry after being imprisoned?
Altunia.
In which year was Razia Sultana assassinated?
1240 AD.
Who succeeded Razia Sultana after her death?
Bahram Shah (third son of Iltutmish).
Who was considered only a de jure ruler while the Naib-e-Mamlakat was the de facto ruler?
Bahram Shah.
How did Bahram Shah lose his life?
After his failed attempt to assert his authority.
Who conspired against Masud Shah, leading to his deposition?
Balban and Nasiruddin Mahamud’s mother, Malika-e-Jahan.
Who was known as the ‘Darvesi King’ for his piety and nobility?
Nasiruddin Mahamud (ruled 1246-66).
Who broke the power of the Chalisa and restored the prestige of the crown?
Ghiyasuddin Balban.
What system did Balban use to keep himself well-informed?
He appointed spies.
What military department did Balban establish?
Diwan-i-Arz.
What title did Balban take, influenced by the Persian court model?
Zil-i-Ilahi (Shadow of God).
What salutation forms did Balban introduce at his court?
Sijda (prostration before the monarch) and Paibos (kissing the feet of the monarch).
Which grandson of Balban was seated on the throne but killed by the Khilji family?
Kaiqubad (1287-90).
Who founded the Khilji Dynasty in 1290?
Jalaluddin Khilji.
Who was Alauddin Khilji in relation to Jalaluddin Khilji?
Alauddin was his nephew and son-in-law.
What significant action did Alauddin Khilji take to separate religion from politics?
He proclaimed that “Kingship knows no Kinship.”
Which territories did Alauddin Khilji annex during his rule?
Gujarat (1298), Ranthambhor (1301), Mewar (1303), Malwa (1305), Jalor (1311).
Who were the notable rulers that Alauddin Khilji defeated in the Deccan?
Chandra (Yadava ruler of Devagiri), Pratap Rudradeva (Kakatiya ruler of Warangal), Vir Ballal II (Hoyasala ruler of Dwarsamudra), and Vir Pandya (Pandya ruler of Madurai).
How did Alauddin Khilji attempt to avoid problems caused by the nobles?
By issuing four ordinances.
What did Alauddin Khilji’s first ordinance aim at?
Confiscation of religious endowments and free grants of land.
What was the purpose of Alauddin Khilji’s second ordinance?
Reorganizing the spy system.
What did Alauddin Khilji’s third ordinance prohibit?
The use of wine.
What did Alauddin Khilji’s fourth ordinance state about the nobles?
Nobles should not have social gatherings or inter-marry without his permission.
What system did Alauddin Khilji introduce for his army?
Dagh (branding of horses) and Chehra (descriptive roll of soldiers).
What officer was appointed by Alauddin Khilji to oversee revenue collection?
Mustakharaj.
How did Alauddin Khilji regulate prices and control markets in Delhi?
He set up three markets for food grains, costly cloth, and horses/slaves/cattle, controlled by high officers called Shahna, and monitored by Diwan-i-Riyasat and Shahna-i-Mandi.
What was the open market in Delhi called during Alauddin Khilji’s reign?
Sara-i-Adal.
Which important fort and entrance gate did Alauddin Khilji build?
Alai Fort and Alai Darwaza.
What was the name of the palace built by Alauddin Khilji with a thousand pillars?
Hazar Sutun.
Who was Alauddin Khilji’s favorite poet-musician?
Amir Khusrau.
Who seized the throne after Alauddin Khilji’s death in 1316?
Malik Kafur (Hajardinari).
Who was nominated as king by Malik Kafur after Alauddin’s death?
Shihabuddin (Alauddin’s 6-year-old prince).
What happened to Mubarak Khan after Malik Kafur’s death?
Mubarak Khan was freed from prison and captured the throne.
Who killed Mubarak Khan and assumed the title of Nasiruddin in 1320?
Khusrau Khan.
How did Khusrau Khan’s reign end?
He was killed by Ghazi Malik, the governor of Dipalpur.
Who founded the Tughlaq dynasty?
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
Who was the last ruler of the Khilji dynasty?
Khusrau Khan
What title did Ghazi Malik assume after becoming Sultan?
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
Who succeeded Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq after his death?
Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq (Jauna/Ulugh Khan)
Which Tughlaq ruler tried to introduce several administrative reforms?
Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq
What was the controversial project regarding taxation initiated by Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq?
Increased taxation in the Doab (1326)
Where did Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq attempt to shift the capital from Delhi?
Devagiri (renamed Daulatabad)
What type of currency did Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq introduce in 1329?
Bronze token currency
What department did Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq create for agricultural reforms?
Diwan-i-Kohi
Which foreign regions did Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq plan to conquer during the Khurasan Expedition?
Khurasan and Iraq
What was the Qarachil Expedition launched to counter?
Chinese incursions and rebellious tribes in the Kumaon-Garhwal region
How many revolts occurred during Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq’s reign?
36 revolts
Which kingdom became independent in 1335?
Madurai
Who founded the Vijayanagar Empire in 1336?
Harihar and Bukka
Which ruler declared Warangal independent from the Delhi Sultanate?
Kanhaiya
Who founded the Bahamani Kingdom in 1347?
Hasan Gangu
Where did Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq die?
Thatta (in Sindh)
Who succeeded Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq after his death?
Firoz Shah Tughlaq
What principle did Firoz Shah Tughlaq extend to nobles and the army?
The principle of heredity
How were soldiers paid under Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s reign?
Assignments on land revenue (Vajeha)
What tax became a separate entity during Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s reign?
Jizya
How many types of taxes were sanctioned by the Quran during Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s time?
Four
What was the land tax imposed during Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s reign?
Kharaj
What percentage was Zakat during Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s reign?
2% on property
On whom was Jizya imposed?
Non-Muslims
What was Khams during Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s time?
1/5 of the booty captured during war
What was the water tax imposed by Firoz Shah Tughlaq called?
Haque-i-Sharb or Hasil-i-Sharb
Which cities were credited to Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s building efforts?
Fatehabad, Hisar, Jaunpur, and Firozabad
In whose memory was the city of Jaunpur founded?
Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq (Jauna Khan)
